National briefs

Woollahra Council in Sydney’s east has criticised NSW Maritime for giving the green light to Sydney Seaplanes to upgrade its terminal at Rose Bay. Council unanimously voted against the development last year, despite the recommendations of its own planners, claiming it would affect harbour views. Sydney Seaplanes chief Aaron Shaw said any impact would be minimal. “It’s a big ugly shed and it’s being replaced by an attractive, modern, purpose built facility," he said. - Ben Hurley

West Australian MP Adele Carles wants the state government to force Magellan Metals to ship its lead in smelted ingots. The company had its export licence suspended last month while the state government investigates a possible spill of lead within the company’s shipping containers. Ms Carles said documents had uncovered plans by Magellan as early as 1999 to operate a smelter, when lead prices were much lower than now. She said the ingots would solve concerns over airborne lead spills. Environment Minister Bill Marmion could not be reached for comment. Peter Kerr

An internal review of the response by Customs and Border Protection to the Christmas Island asylum seeker tragedy has found the agency did not have any intelligence to indicate a boat had left Indonesia or was likely to arrive at the island. The vessel was dashed against rocks in a storm, killing more than 30 people on December 15. The review also found the agency’s workers aboard rescue vessels had responded appropriately and bravely in attempting a difficult rescue. Agency chief executive Michael Carmody revealed eight recommendations had been made by the review team, including the trial of a land-based surveillance system. A coronial inquiry is still to be completed. John Kerin

Businesses are taking on average almost two months to settle accounts with suppliers, increasing the pressure on cash flow across the economy. A study by credit reporting firm Dun & Bradstreet found that firms took on average 52 days to pay their accounts in the December quarter, with a 4 per cent increase in the number of those paying late. The study found that businesses with more than 500 staff were the most likely to pay late, while mid-sized firms with between 50 and 199 workers the most likely to settle accounts on time. Adrian Rollins

Trade through the Port of Melbourne boomed in 2010, with imports surging and exports defying the strong Australian dollar. Container volumes hit 2.35 million, up 12.6 per cent. In each of four months in the second half of the year, the port moved more than 200,000 containers. Jason Murphy